Chapter 43 — The Red-Nosed Menace
(Sunny POV – Orange Town) (Over 3k word)
The streets of Orange Town were dead quiet. Dust drifted lazily through beams of afternoon sun, settling on broken crates and overturned stalls. Somewhere, a shutter creaked. It was the kind of silence that told you everyone in town had collectively decided, "Nope, not my circus, not my monkeys."
Unfortunately, it was our circus now.
"Oi!" Lucy cupped her hands around her mouth. "Anybody home?! We're here to steal—uh, I mean borrow—the market deals!"
"Lucy," Zoro groaned, rubbing his temples, "you sound like an idiot."
"That's because you don't have the imagination to appreciate bargains," Lucy shot back, puffing out her cheeks.
Before Zoro could argue, a booming, theatrical laugh echoed down the empty street.
"GYAAAHAHAHAHA! Bargains?! In MY town?! The only thing you'll be buying is your own GRAVES!"
Confetti exploded from seemingly nowhere, showering the air in glittering scraps of paper. From the center of the rainbow storm emerged a clown. Blue hair tied in twin tails, face painted like a nightmare birthday party, and—most important of all—his nose. Bright, round, shining like a cherry in winter.
"BEHOLD! The glorious Captain Buggy!" the man roared, arms spread wide as if expecting applause.
Lucy gasped dramatically. "Whoa, Zoro, his nose! Do you think he can pick up radio signals with that thing?"
I couldn't help myself. "Nah, looks more like one of those emergency buttons. Press it, and he calls for a clown car backup."
Buggy froze. His eye twitched. His whole body trembled like a soda bottle someone had just shaken. "D-DID YOU JUST—?"
"Tomato beacon," I added helpfully.
"GYAAAAAAAAH! NO ONE MOCKS THE NOSE!" Buggy screeched, confetti blasting out like steam from a kettle.
Zoro gave me a sidelong look. "You're doing this on purpose."
"Obviously."
Buggy snapped his fingers, and a ragged group of pirates stumbled out from the alleyways, cutlasses gleaming, laughter sharp as glass. They fanned out, forming a sloppy half-circle around us.
"Straw hats! Blue-haired idiots! Greedy thieves! You dare mock Captain Buggy?! I'll cut you into pieces!" he snarled, stomping forward.
"Oh, he's serious," Lucy whispered, visibly shaking with excitement. "Sunny, can I punch his nose? Please? Just one time?"
I yawned, stretching my arms. "Be my guest. Just don't expect it to pop like a balloon."
---
Buggy's Performance
The clown's body suddenly split apart—arms detaching from his torso, legs floating off the ground. His hands darted through the air like knives, fingers curled into claws.
Lucy squealed. "Whaaaat?! He's a puzzle piece pirate!"
Zoro's expression tightened. His blade flashed, but every time he slashed, Buggy's flying hands simply reassembled elsewhere.
"GYAAAHAHA! You see now?! The Bara Bara no Mi makes me invincible! I cannot be cut! I cannot be stopped!"
"That's… inconvenient," Zoro muttered, ducking under a flying foot.
Lucy, meanwhile, had caught one of Buggy's disembodied arms midair and was spinning around in circles with it. "Wheeee! Look! Free carnival ride!"
"LET GO OF MY HAND, YOU FREAK!" Buggy shrieked, his voice cracking like a pre-teen's.
I leaned against a broken lamp post, studying him with narrowed eyes. My Observation Haki traced the fragments of his body, feeling the strange emptiness where his core connected. He wasn't truly untouchable—just scattered. His aura was gaudy, like confetti soaked in cheap rum. Dangerous, but sloppy.
{ego}: Pathetic. This "captain" is a children's toy. You should crush him instantly, master.
[system]: Observation confirms: Target "Buggy the Clown" has high nuisance factor, low dignity score, and negative charisma points. ♥ Also, nose is ridiculous.
I smirked. "Relax, you two. I'll let Zoro and Lucy have some fun. This guy isn't worth me breaking a sweat."
---
Nami's Gamble
While chaos unfolded, Nami stepped forward, a calculating gleam in her eyes. She bowed low, her voice dripping with false sweetness.
"Captain Buggy~! Surely we can come to an arrangement, no?"
Buggy paused mid-rant, eyeing her suspiciously. "…Go on."
"I'm not with these fools. I just want treasure. I can help you. I can draw maps, even track currents. Let me work for you, and you'll be richer than you can imagine."
Lucy froze. "EH?! Nami, traitor?! Again?!"
"Quiet!" Nami hissed, flashing me the quickest glance. Just a flicker of her eyes.
I understood. She was buying time. Getting close to the map. Classic Nami.
Buggy stroked his chin with his floating hand, smirking. "A navigator, huh? Maybe you're not useless after all."
Chouchou suddenly barked from the ruins of his shop, fur bristling, tiny frame shaking with fury. His growls were sharp, protective, a reminder that this wasn't a game. Buggy's eyes flicked toward the dog, and his smile twisted cruel.
"What's this? A mangy mutt thinks he can defy me?"
My blood chilled.
---
Sunny's Breaking Point
Buggy raised his hand, fingers poised like blades.
"You'll make a fine example, little dog. This is what happens when you oppose Captain Bug—"
The street shook as my Haki pulsed. Not enough to knock anyone out, just enough to make the air heavy, suffocating. Buggy's detached hand froze midair, trembling.
"Try it," I said softly, my voice flat and cold.
Lucy and Zoro glanced at me. Nami's breath hitched, relief flashing across her face.
Buggy laughed nervously, trying to brush it off. "G-Gyahaha, relax! It was just a joke! A little clown humor!"
{ego}: Finally, you show some spine. Enough of this farce—end him.
[system]: Master's protective instincts triggered ♥ Data suggests: Sunny + Dog Loyalty Story = unstoppable crying fit round two. Recommend cuddling Nami as countermeasure.
I ignored them both, my gaze locked on Buggy. My smile returned, sharp as a blade. "You've had your fun. But hurt that dog, and you'll find out what a real nightmare looks like."
Buggy snarled, snapping back into his theatrics. "Fine then! If you want to fight me, I'll give you the honor of dying to my greatest weapon! BARA BARA CANNONBALL!"
A massive cannon rolled into view, a grotesque contraption covered in circus paint. Buggy cackled, aiming it straight at us.
Lucy jumped up and down. "Finally! A boss fight!"
Zoro drew his swords, face grim. "This'll get messy."
I cracked my knuckles, stepping forward at last. "Alright. Clown show's over."
Sunny POV
The cannonball barreled down the street, confetti exploding with every bounce like a terrible parade. Buggy's laughter rang through the empty town, shrill and unhinged. Lucy squealed with glee, trying to jump atop the rolling projectile.
"NO, LUCY!" I barked, stepping forward. My blue Haki shimmered faintly, a calm pressure that made the air itself seem to press against Buggy.
{ego}: Finally. The little pest is doing something useful. Watch him end this farce in style.
[system]: Target's ridiculousness is escalating. Maximum embarrassment factor detected. Recommend observation and mental note-taking for blackmail purposes. ♥
I extended a hand, fingers brushing the street. The cannonball slowed, wobbling midair as though trapped in molasses. Buggy blinked, his mouth opening and closing like a goldfish.
"You… what…?" he sputtered, spinning in place as his limbs floated apart again.
"Just… holding it for a second," I said, voice casual. "You really should label your toys."
Lucy bounced off the cannonball and landed in a crouch, her fists pumping the air. "Sunny, I'm ready! Let me punch him NOW!"
"Go ahead," I murmured, still leaning against my calm Haki field. "Just don't break anything you like."
Zoro rolled his eyes, drawing a single sword. "Clown antics… are beneath me."
I let a small smirk tug at my lips. "Relax. You'll get to play later."
---
Nami's Strategic Chaos
Nami crouched by a ruined cart, hands on her knees, whispering furiously. "Sunny, the market stalls—some of the goods might be rigged. Watch out for traps. And—Lucy, stay behind me! No, don't run toward the cannon!"
Lucy waved her hands dramatically. "But it's so shiny! It wants to be punched!"
Nami groaned. "Why do I even bother?"
{ego}: She's adorable when she gets flustered. Perfect target for teasing.
[system]: Subject Nami demonstrates high irritation mixed with romantic proximity potential. Monitor master's reaction. ♥
I reached over and tapped her shoulder lightly. "Hey, calm down. We've got this covered."
Her eyes flicked up at me, momentarily softening. The faint brush of fingers against shoulder… small, intimate, and far too effective at making me grin.
"Sunny," she muttered, trying to maintain composure. "Don't… make me swoon."
I chuckled. "Noted."
---
The Cannonball Confrontation
Buggy's cannonball rolled closer, arms flailing. I raised a single eyebrow and flicked my wrist.
The cannonball stopped dead. Confetti rained lazily to the ground. Lucy clapped, thrilled. "Ooooh! How did you do that?"
I leaned on my palm, calm as the sea. "It's called observation, Lucy. And being a slightly terrifying pirate god."
Buggy screamed, spinning like a top. His floating hands lashed at me, but I wasn't worried. A casual wave of my arm, and they collided midair, scattering in all directions. One piece bounced off a nearby stall, breaking a crate of oranges. Lucy cheered.
"Sunny! You're amazing!"
I smirked, brushing imaginary dust off my shoulder. "It's nothing."
{ego}: Arrogant. But I approve. Keep being smug, Master.
[system]: Maximum chaos achieved. Heart rate elevated. Recommend recording for data and future embarrassment. ♥
Buggy screeched, trying to shout instructions to his remaining minions. I let a faint pulse of Haki ripple through the street, enough to make the cannonball roll harmlessly toward the edge of town.
Lucy spun, pumping her fists. "Now it's MY turn! I will strike the clown with—GOMU GOMU—CANNON FIST!"
"Lucy!" Nami barked, hand on forehead.
I didn't intervene. Let her have her fun. Buggy deserved the humiliation.
---
Chouchou's Inspiration
The little dog barked furiously, circling Buggy's floating parts like a tiny, determined whirlwind. I watched him with a soft smile. Loyalty like that… it wasn't about strength or Haki. It was pure, unwavering courage.
Buggy tried to stomp him, but Chouchou leapt, dodging with uncanny speed. Even my Observation Haki was impressed.
"Sunny, look! He's brave!" Lucy shouted, pointing.
"I see," I murmured, voice soft. My gaze lingered on the little dog. "Bravery doesn't need powers. Just heart."
{ego}: Emotional weakness detected. Pathetic… but cute.
[system]: Heartstrings tugged at maximum. Recommend Nami hug. ♥
Nami's hand brushed mine again as she whispered, "You care too much."
"I just… notice the details," I said, smiling faintly. "Even in chaos."
---
Buggy's Final Desperation
Buggy, growing frantic, tried a new tactic: blasting his own floating limbs like rockets. Confetti and limbs flew in all directions. Lucy screamed with delight, chasing them like a carnival game. Zoro pinched the bridge of his nose, muttering something about idiots.
I shook my head, letting a controlled pulse of Haki flow through the air, forcing Buggy to pause mid-launch. "You're running out of ideas," I said softly.
Buggy's face went pale. "I-I… can't… move!"
"Good," I said, voice calm, almost lazy. "Stay there until you've reconsidered every life choice that led you to this point."
{ego}: That is how a master does it. Subtle, humiliating dominance. Perfect.
[system]: Target incapacitated without direct harm. Data logged. ♥
---
Crew Commentary
Lucy bounced up and down, eyes sparkling. "I WANNA RECRUIT HIM! Can we keep him? Pretty please? He's like… a weird dog, but bigger, and his nose is hilarious!"
Zoro groaned. "Absolutely not. You're insane."
Nami sighed, adjusting her map. "Focus, everyone. We have a real mission. Treasure, charts… and apparently clown nose genocide is not part of it."
I chuckled softly, shaking my head. "One step at a time. Let the clown stew in his own mess."
The sun began to dip lower, painting the broken streets in soft gold. Chouchou trotted over, sitting at my feet, looking up as if seeking approval. I crouched down, giving him a scratch behind the ears. Loyalty rewarded with simple affection.
Lucy pouted. "Sunny, I wanted to punch him one more time!"
"Later," I said, smiling. "Let's just enjoy the moment for now."
{ego}: Lazy, smug, perfect. Keep stroking that dog.
[system]: Happiness level of Master increasing. Recommend: maintain proximity to Nami and Lucy for maximum effect. ♥
I stood, looking down at the defeated, humiliated Buggy. Confetti settled in the cracks of the street. The clown looked ready to cry, cower, or scream—probably all three at once.
"Tomorrow," I muttered under my breath, "we clean up the streets. But tonight… we rest."
Nami leaned closer, brushing my arm. "You're impossible," she whispered, a fond, teasing lilt in her voice.
"I try," I said, voice low, letting the smile linger.
And in the distance, confetti floated lazily in the sunset, painting a ridiculous, beautiful end to a day that none of us would forget.
Sunny POV
The mayor of Orange Town had outdone himself. After Buggy's defeat (or near defeat, thanks to my subtle but terrifying presence), he insisted we take rooms for the night. "Guests of honor," he said, beaming. "Rooms are modest, but clean!"
Lucy immediately started inspecting each bed as if critiquing a luxury inn. "THIS ONE IS TOO SOFT! AND THIS ONE—OH MY GOD, THIS ONE HAS SPRINGS! SPRINGS ARE TORTURE!"
Zoro grunted and flopped onto the floor with his swords as a makeshift pillow. "Better than those beds," he muttered. Chouchou, the little loyal dog, curled up awkwardly in the corner, his ears twitching at every complaint.
And then there was me. Coincidentally—or perhaps fate had a twisted sense of humor—I was assigned the same room as Nami. Shortage of rooms, the mayor explained with a shrug, leaving us blinking at each other.
As soon as the door closed, Nami grabbed my shoulders and, with the precision of a seasoned navigator, pushed me onto the bed.
"Hey!" I protested, though the smile creeping onto my lips betrayed my amusement.
"Shut up," she whispered, straddling me and hugging me tightly. Her lips found mine without warning. The kiss was slow, familiar, and full of the intimacy of eight years spent together—living, laughing, fighting, and loving. Tongues met briefly, a sweet and teasing dance that reminded me of every moment we had shared.
I wrapped my arms around her waist, feeling her heartbeat against mine. Her hands trailed over my shoulders and chest. I could feel the warmth, the softness, the reassurance that we had built together.
Just then, a knock rattled the door. Lucy's voice called out, high-pitched and dramatic, "SUNNY! I NEED TO CHECK IF YOU'RE STILL BREATHING!"
Zoro's muffled yawn followed, adding insult to interruption.
Nami groaned but didn't break contact. "Ignore them," she murmured, nuzzling my neck.
I chuckled softly. "I'm not complaining."
The night passed in quiet chaos and whispered laughter, with brief interruptions from Lucy and Zoro's obnoxious commentary, but eventually, sleep claimed us.
---
Morning — Nami POV
The first rays of sunlight hit me squarely in the face. My legs wobbled as I tried to get out of bed, remnants of last night's closeness making my muscles betray me. Sunny was behind me, steadying me with a gentle hand on my waist.
"You're unstable," he teased, his blue Haki flickering faintly as if to highlight my delicate state.
"Maybe you should've let me fall over," I muttered, though a smile tugged at my lips. "But I'm glad you didn't."
He pressed a quick kiss to my temple, playful and tender. "You'd have landed on me anyway. We both know it."
From the hallway, Lucy peeked in, hands clasped over her mouth, eyes wide as she whispered to herself, "I CAN'T BELIEVE THIS."
Zoro leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed, letting out a low chuckle. "You two are insufferable."
I shot Sunny a glance, one part warning, one part affectionate. "Maybe we should hurry up, before they start making bets on what happens next."
Sunny grinned. "Not a chance. I like this chaos too much."
---
Sunny POV — Preparing the Crew
After breakfast—Lucy had devoured three plates and was already eyeing the next course—I took a moment to scan Buggy's remaining crew with my Observation Haki. I didn't need to fight; just watching their weak, terrified movements was satisfying enough.
Lucy's antics made the atmosphere unpredictable, Nami kept charting the waters, and Zoro simply existed as a formidable shadow, silently ensuring our safety. Every so often, Nami would brush against me under the guise of charting, sending warmth through me, and {ego} whispered with obvious jealousy.
{ego}: You're letting her get too close again. Master, behave.
[system]: Data logged: proximity to Nami exceeds safe thresholds. Physiological response noted. ♥
I leaned down, teasingly pressing my forehead against hers as she traced a line on the map. "You know, if you keep leaning like that, I might just declare war."
She smirked, biting her lip. "Do it. I dare you."
---
Humor and Crew Dynamics
Zoro rolled his eyes at our flirting. Lucy dramatically flopped onto the deck, waving her arms. "I DEMAND TO BE INCLUDED! SOMEONE FEED ME, OR I WILL TAKE MY HAT AND LEAVE!"
I chuckled, tossing her a piece of bread. "Careful. You might choke on your theatrics."
Nami groaned, hitting Lucy lightly with her chart. "Eat quietly for once!"
Even with the comedy, there was a rhythm to our small crew—chaotic, messy, but perfectly synchronized. Every gesture, glance, and tease carried unspoken bonds.
---
Preparing for Next Steps
By midday, the town had calmed, and we were ready to move. Buggy was alive but firmly incapacitated, unable to interfere with our next plans.
I used my Observation Haki to silently gather intelligence on his remaining men—no soul collection this time; the situation didn't call for it. {ego} muttered about missed opportunities, [system] quietly noted Buggy's pitiful state.
"Alright," I said, looking at my crew, "repairs, resupply, and plotting the next leg. The Grand Line isn't going to conquer itself."
Nami leaned closer, her head brushing mine. "You're going to be the death of me, you know that?"
"I already am," I whispered, and she shivered, smiling.
Lucy, utterly oblivious, yelled from the dock, "WE STILL NEED TREASURE! AND MEAT!"
Zoro pinched the bridge of his nose. "…I should've stayed home."
But I just laughed, embracing the chaos of our crew. Grand Line or not, I knew one thing: nothing could touch us when we were together.